A new story about Commander Shepard and his relationship with Operative Miranda Lawson. Review and favorite the story and if you especially enjoy it please favorite me and check out my works. Enjoy. First chapter takes place on Horizon.

Chapter 1: A World Shattered

Commander Eli Shepard saw her. The woman he cared for more than humanity itself was before him. He ran a hand, awkwardly, through his dark hair. He didn't know what to say. "Hey how's it going?" No. He'd been dead for two years. Casual or even romantic greetings were out the window. Yet here she was coming toward him. Ashley looked stunned. As if a ghost from her past was haunting her. She stood a foot from Shepard, wondering if it was a dream.

"Hey," was all the commander offered as he stared at the ground.

She rushed forward and embraced him. The man she loved was alive. The reports were true. He was alive. But if the reports were true then that meant that he was with Cerberus too. She gently pushed away.

"Hey?" she said, sadly, "Two years dead and that's all you can say to me? How about I'm sorry?"

Shepard shuffled his feet in embarrassment. It had been two years for her and only a month or two for him.

"Ash, I'm sorry. I truly am, but things… got complicated fast. I wanted to contact you…"

"Then why didn't you?" she pressed. Her arms crossed and her face was filled with hurt.

"I… I'm on a mission," he said dumbly.

"Of course," she said, "And if you're alive that means you're also with Cerberus."

"Yeah, for now anyway, while we fight the Collectors."

"I… I can't believe this!" she yelled.

Garrus and Miranda stood behind Shepard watching the scene unfold. Garrus was, at first, happy to see an old comrade but now she was ripping into Shepard with an intent to hurt.

"I loved you, Shepard! Why would you turn your back on the Alliance?" she asked harshly.

"Because they turned their backs on me!" Shepard shouted his voice filled with hurt.

This took Ashley off guard. She went silent. Shepard's two allies stood beside Shepard now. Their commander's face staring at the ground again.

"Ashley, Cerberus helped him. And what did the Alliance do?" Garrus said angrily, "Nothing. Now when humanity needs help the most they still do nothing. Cerberus is right here…. And you know it. Shepard is only trying to help."

"I'm surprised Garrus," Ashley said, "I thought you would be the last to join up with THEM. Especially since they want to dominate every species in the galaxy."

"My loyalties lie with Shepard, Williams," the turian spat, "If you were his friend you'd know that he is trying to what is right."

Ashley glared at Garrus. She looked at Shepard who hid his emotions behind a well-built mask.

"I'll file a report to the Alliance AND the council. Let them decide if your story is true or not," she said.

"Come with us, Ash," Shepard said looking into her eyes, "I could use someone I trust. It'll be just like old times."

Ashley felt tempted to take the offer. To protect the man she still had feelings for. To make sure Cerberus wouldn't hurt him because deep down she knew him. She knew he was telling the truth. She shook her head.

"No," she said, "I can't follow you. I can't accept that you're with Cerberus. I can't… trust them. And it scares me that you do. No, Skip- Shepard."

She turned to leave but hesitated. Desiring them to be together. To patch their relationship and be happy. But she knew that that wasn't possible. Not now.

"Just… be careful, Shepard."

And with that she was gone. Took a shuttle to rendezvous with the Alliance. Shepard spoke into his comm. Angry and hurt he said, "Joker, send the shuttle. I've had enough of this colony."

"Right away sir, ETA ten minutes."

Miranda silently had watched Shepard through the whole event. She felt a pang of sadness for him. She had seen him do his best to keep his emotions in check but she knew he was in pain. His eyes had given it all away.

"Shepard?" she said touching his shoulder.

He retreated from the touch, shaking his head, never making eye contact. He went to a crate and sat. Garrus was checking the perimeter. Miranda kneeled before Shepard and saw that he was wiping away his eyes.

"Shepard… I…" she began.

"Stop. You don't have to say anything," he interrupted.

"I'm sorry," she said watching him.

"It's just… I… I don't know," he said.

"What?"

"Ashley and I… we were… we were close and I… thought that our relationship was stronger than that," he whispered never looking her in the eye.

"I understand," she said.

"I doubt it," he said.

That hurt her. She understood though. Just him admitting to believing that he and Ashley's bond was strong was a surprising show of trust. They both still didn't trust one another with much. She yearned to say something, anything. The pain written all over his face made her feel for him.

"I…" she said but stopped.

"Forget it," he muttered and walked off to wait for the shuttle by himself.

Miranda watched him walk off. His strong and commanding presence was gone. His world was shattered. She watched him slump against a building and slide to the ground in defeat. His face buried in his hands. She sighed, hoping he would be okay. For his sake and humanity's.

A/N: If you want more please review and let me know